General
anti-football
What does anti-football mean?
A derogatory term for an ultra-negative, sometimes violent or time-wasting style seen as against the spirit of the game.
"Fans booed the anti-football on show — ten men behind the ball all night."
Origin
Critical fan and media term contrasting with attacking, entertaining play.
Frequently asked questions
What is anti-football?
It is a derogatory term for ultra-negative, cynical play, often involving time-wasting, fouling or purely destructive defending seen as against the spirit of the game.
Why is anti-football criticised?
Because it prioritises stopping the opposition over creating any attacking or entertaining football, which many fans and pundits find dull or unsporting.
Is parking the bus the same as anti-football?
They overlap, but anti-football is broader and more negative, often implying cynical fouling and time-wasting on top of extreme defending.
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